Terry - Yoakum IPM Update

T-Y IPM NEWS

news about integrated pest management in Terry and Yoakum counties

Scott A. Russell, EA-IPM

Telephone: (806) 637-4060

Mobile: (806) 893-1041

Fax: (806) 637-2588

E-Mail: sarussel@tamu.edu

http://lubbock.tamu.edu/ipm

http://www.tpma.org

Vol. 3, No. 1

209 South Fifth Street, Brownfield, TX 79316

May 16, 2002

Still Time and Space: There is still time and space to enroll acres in the Terry-Yoakum Integrated Pest Management Association field scouting program. We will scout cotton acres from late May through maturity to provide pest and beneficial insect population information and management options. The fee is $6.00 per acre. Please contact our office to enroll fields, 637-4060.

By the time you read this newsletter most of the area peanuts will have been planted. Cotton planting will be in the full swing and moisture will still be slight to none in the top soil. A new Farm Bill is in place. It seems like it is time for a good cotton year. I know we all could use it. Not knowing what the future will bring (other than the normal hot, dry conditions of July and August) it can be difficult to plan for the crop season.

Getting off to a Good Start: One thing is sure, without a good start (timely planting, good seedling stand and plant vigor) a good crop is not likely. As you plant remember that decisions made today will set the stage for your yield in the fall. (I may be overly optimistic). Here is a list of several things to consider as you plant.

Minimize tillage where feasible. Conseve that moisture.

> Consider the field history, have thrips, weeds, disease or nematodes been a problem here previously? If you omit an at plant insecticide, you should be prepared to apply a foliar insecticide if thrips become a problem.

> Fertilize for a realistic goal (not only now but on into the season). Soil testing can pay.

>Target a plant density of 2-5 plants per foot. Plant based on SEED PER FOOT, not POUNDS PER ACRE. Seed size varies and therefore seeding rate should vary with variety.

> Timely irrigation is critical, not only now but throughout the season.

Farm Bill Informational Meetings
The National Cotton Council will conduct several meetngs in our area to aid producers in understanding the new farm bill. This Schedule and additional information is listed on their web
site at: www.cotton.org .

Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, handicap or national origin. The information given herein is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is implied.

The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating

Here are meetings, one of which you may want to attend:

Monday, May 20, 4:00 P.M., Lamesa, Texas,
Dawson Count Community Building , South 9th and Houston Street.

Tuesday, May 21, 9:00 A.M., Lubbock, Texas, Plains Cotton Cooperative Compress, 50th Street and the Loop 289.

Tuesday, May 21, 2:00 P.M., Plainview, Texas, Ollie Liner Center, East of I-27 on Business I-27.

Thursday, May 23, 9:00 A.M., Seagraves, Texas, Community Building, 512 14th Street

Texas Cooperative Extension is also planning a regional meeting, Tentatively set for June 20th. More details will be forthcoming.

Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation
The foundation reminds us that access to all sides of cotton fields is one of the most important aspects of the eradication program. Without it, eradication is virtually impossible. Traps are the "eyes" in the boll weevil eradication program. They tell where weevils are and allow treating pockets of weevils to bring them under control before they reproduce and spread. Without thorough trapping and trap data, weevil hot spots go undetected, and weevils are allowed to reproduce and spread. To most economically gather the trap data needed to run the program, foundation employees check traps using pickup trucks and must have full vehicular access to all sides of all cotton fields.

Great progress has been made in our zone and we want to keep up the good work. As in the past I will encourage you to know your Field Unit Supervisor (FUS) and discuss any potential issues/problems with them.

Current Insect Situation
There are the usual thrips in abundance, Lygus bugs in alfalfa, a few grasshoppers and moths. The thrips should certainly be considered a potential threat as wheat is drying down and cut. Lygus are present in alfalfa fields and on weed hosts, but as yet not a problem. Gaines County has

had reports of grasshoppers being a problem in isolated cases. These are of two main types, the large lubber (jumbo) grasshopper which is wingless and over wintered as eggs and several of the Acrididae family which over wintered as adults (fully developed wings present and fly long distances). At present there should not be any need for control measures. However, if range and pasture land continues to dry these grasshoppers may move into our newly emerging cotton or peanuts. The moths we are seeing in such large numbers are a cut worm moth. These adults are the result of a large caterpillar population we had about a month ago. This moth only has one generation per year, although the adults are rather long lived. These moths will not lay eggs until the fall.

If you would like to be added to our mailing list (e-mail or regular USPS) please contact our office at (806)637-4060.

High Plains Scout School will be held in Plainview at the Ollie Liner Center (Business I-27 east of I-27), May 31. Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available as well as Worker Protection Standard Training (green card). Topics to be covered include cotton, corn sorghum and other items. Call our office for more details.

T-Y IPM News is a publication of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service IPM Program in Terry and Yoakum Counties.
Editor: Scott A. Russell EA-IPM, Terry & Yoakum Counties	Production: JoAnna Garcia

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